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Carnes appointed vice chairman of Liquor Control Commission

Photo Provided Former state senator James E. Carnes, right, is sworn in by Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato as vice chairman of the Ohio Liquor Control Commission.

COLUMBUS — A local man with a long record of public service accepted an important post with a statewide agency.

St. Clairsville resident James E. Carnes, as part of newly elected Gov. Mike DeWine’s organization of his administration, has been reappointed to the Liquor Control Commission for a term ending in 2025. He has been further tabbed by DeWine as vice chairman of that commission.

The Liquor Control Commission is a quasi-court comprised of three members that hears cases brought by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office against establishments that allegedly have violated Ohio’s liquor laws. The commission hears more than 3,000 cases per year. Carnes was first appointed to the Ohio Liquor Control Commission in 2013.

Carnes was the local area’s state senator from 1995-2004, and he quickly rose to one of the most powerful positions in the entire state as chairman of the Finance Committee. He also served as the chairman of the Human Services and Aging Committee and of the Energy and Natural Resources and Environmental Committee. He also was a member of the Aging Rule Committee and a member of the State Controlling Board.

After he was term limited and unable to seek re-election as senator, he served as deputy director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and a member of the Federal Election Advisory Council.

After attending Flushing Public Schools, Bethany College, Elliot’s School of Business College of Commerce and Ohio Insurance School, Carnes worked in the coal industry beginning in the 1960s. He rose from bookkeeper to office manager, then treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors of Cravat Coal, where he became president and CEO in 2008.

He has been a member of the Belmont County Republican Party Executive Committee since 1970, and he has served as chairman and treasurer of the Central and Executive Committees. He also has served on the Belmont County Board of Elections, including a stint as chairman from 1983-1994.

Carnes also has worked with the Ohio Commission on Aging, the Area Agency on Aging Region 9 Board of Trustees, Ohio Advisory Council on Aging.

Carnes’ legislative accomplishments and awards also have been numerous:

∫ He was recognized by the state attorney general for passage of an anti-crime package;

∫ He received the Watchdog of the Treasury Award and Environmental Council Legislator Award.

∫ Locally, he was recognized with the Belmont County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award and Friends of 4-H Award.

Carnes’ term as vice chairman of the Liquor Control Commission commenced Feb. 9.

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